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About the position

A PhD position is available in the area of robotics, automation, and sensing, with a focus on next generation drone operations in agriculture at the Department of Department of Mechanical engineering and technology management at the Faculty of Science and Technology.

The PhD position is for a period of 3 years, with a desired start date of 1st of September 2026.

The robotics group at NMBU conducts research in two key areas: (1) mobile robotics for agriculture, and (2) manufacturing and food processing. This PhD position falls within the first area, targeting the design, implementation and field deployment of an autonomous drone solutions for agricultural applications, including crop spraying, monitoring and precision farming tasks.

This position is not tied to a specific R&D project, giving the candidate freedom to define a focused research topic within autonomy, robotics, and agricultural drones. Within this broader scope, the candidate may explore several interconnected research directions aimed at developing advanced autonomous and robotic solutions to support next-generation drone operations in agriculture, addressing current limitations in endurance, efficiency, scalability, and safety. 

The position targets innovative methods that enable drones to operate more effectively across large agricultural areas while reducing the need for manual intervention. Key research directions include:

1. Increasing the Operational Autonomy of Agricultural Drones

Agricultural drones show great potential for field treatment and monitoring, yet practical deployment is often restricted by operational interruptions, limited flight range, and manual handling requirements. This research direction investigates concepts and enabling technologies that enhance mission continuity, reduce downtime, and improve overall task efficiency. Topics may include autonomous mission planning, resource-aware scheduling, multi-drone coordination, optimization-based decision-making, and integration of robotic subsystems that support extended operations.

2. Multimodal Sensing, Perception, and Precision Control

Reliable drone operation in agricultural environments requires robust sensing, perception, and control capabilities. The candidate may work on advanced multimodal sensor fusion, environmental perception, field-aware localization, precision navigation, and interaction with ground-based robotic or stationary systems. Emphasis is placed on developing algorithms and system architectures that increase robustness and autonomy under real-world conditions.

3. Automation Technologies to Improve Safety and Reduce Human Exposure

Certain agricultural tasks—particularly those involving chemicals or repetitive manual handling—pose exposure risks to workers and drone operators. This research direction focuses on robotics and automation strategies that enhance operator safety by reducing direct human involvement in hazardous or labor-intensive processes. This may involve automated support systems, intelligent interfaces, collaborative robotic mechanisms, or safety-driven system design applicable to drone deployment workflows.

Main tasks

• Define a focused research topic within the broader area of autonomy, robotics, and drone technologies for agricultural applications. 
• Formulate and refine use-cases that illustrate practical challenges in drone-enabled agricultural workflows and can serve as benchmarking scenarios.
• Develop and implement the required hardware and/or software components, including sensing modules, control algorithms, autonomy modules, or supporting ground systems.
• Collect and curate relevant datasets from laboratory setups, field experiments, or simulated environments to support algorithm development and evaluation. 
• Design and execute experiments—both controlled and in-field—to validate system performance and compare results against established metrics or requirements.
• Analyze experimental outcomes, perform benchmarking studies, and iterate system improvements based on quantitative findings.
• Prepare and publish scientific papers in high-quality international journals and conferences within robotics, autonomous systems, and precision agriculture.
• Complete mandatory PhD-level coursework and actively participate in the research group’s scientific activities.

Competence

Required qualifications

• A Master's degree or equivalent in in Robotics, Mechatronics, Computer Science, Control Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related discipline, or a related field. Foreign degrees must correspond with the admission criteria for the PhD program. Candidates submitting M.Sc. thesis within 30. June 2026 may also be considered.
• In the Master’s degree, both the average grade point and the Master’s thesis, must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system. Applicants who have recently graduated with excellent results may be given preference.
• Proficiency in both written and oral English in correspondence with the admission criteria for the PhD program.
• Documented programming experience relevant to autonomous systems, robotics, or data-driven modelling.
• Demonstrable competence in at least one of the key areas related to the position (e.g., autonomous systems, sensor fusion, robot perception, drone technologies, or agricultural robotics).
• Experience with modelling and simulation tools for robotics, UAVs, or autonomous systems to support algorithm development, testing, and validation.
• High personal motivation, strong work ethic, and suitability for independent research.
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position.

Qualifications considered an advantage

• Experience with UAVs, autonomous robots, or robotic manipulation systems. 
• Experience with ROS or ROS2 for robotic system integration. 
• Experience with optimization techniques relevant to robotics (e.g., path planning, mission scheduling, resource allocation, or control optimization). 
• Experience with 3D sensing, perception, computer vision, or sensor fusion. 
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C++, or C#. 
• Experience working with embedded systems, microcontrollers, or edge AI. 
• Prior academic writing experience (e.g., conference/journal papers).
• Previous scientific publications (conference or journal articles) or strong academic-writing skills.

Personal qualities

• Highly motivated to pursue and complete a PhD within the project’s research domain. 
• Curious, open-minded, and eager to develop new skills and explore novel solutions. 
• Structured, analytical, and capable of working independently as well as collaboratively. 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, contributing positively to the research environment.

Remuneration and further information

Salary in position as PhD Research Fellow, position code 1017, 550 800 NOK. For exceptionally well qualified candidates a higher salary may be considered. 

By applying, the candidate confirms that information and documentation submitted via the job application may also be used by NMBU in a possible admission process to the PhD program. Admission to a PhD program is a prerequisite for appointment to the PhD position.

For professional and social interactions, the candidate is expected to be physically present at NMBU on a daily basis.

Employment is to be made in accordance with Regulations to the Universities and University Colleges Act and Regulations for the PhD degree at the Norwegian University of Life Science (NMBU) , and in accordance with the Civil Servant Act, the Security Act, and the Export Control Act. 

For further information, please contact professor Ibrahim Abdelfattah Abdelhameed, e-mail: ibrahim.abdelhameed@nmbu.no.

Information for PhD applicants and general Information to applicants

Application

Send application electronically via the link "Apply for this job" at the top of this page. This will route you to the University's Web Recruitment System, where you will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form. 

Application Deadline: 18.05.2026

Your CV must be entered in Jobbnorge's CV form and not just included as an attachment. This is in order to be able to comply with the regulations to the Public Administration Act §15.

Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged. Applicants invited for an interview are expected to present original diplomas and certificates.

The following documents must be attached to the application:

• Motivation letter
• CV 
• Certified copies of relevant academic diplomas and certificates. (i.e. Diploma, transcript. Diploma supplement for both bachelor and master). Diplomas, transcripts and diploma supplements that are not in Norwegian or English must be uploaded in the original language. An English translation of these documents must also be attached.
• Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement, or a similar document, which describes in detail the study program and grading system.
• Documentation of proficiency in written and oral English in accordance with Forskrift for graden philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) ved Norges miljø- og biovitenskapelige universitet - Lovdata
• Additional relevant documentation of professional knowledge (for example, list of scientific works). If it is difficult to judge the applicant’s contribution for publications with multiple authors, a short description of the applicant’s contribution must be included.

About The Faculty of Science and Technology

The Faculty of Science and Technology (REALTEK) develops research-based knowledge and educates civil engineers and lecturers needed to reach the UN's sustainability goals. We have approximately 150 employees, 70 PhD students and soon 1500 students. The education and research at REALTEK cover a broad spectrum of disciplines.

This includes data science, mechanics and process engineering, robotics, construction and architecture, industrial economics, environmental physics and renewable energy, geomatics, water and environmental engineering, applied mathematics as well as secondary school teacher education in natural sciences and use of natural resources such as in agriculture, forestry and aquaculture. The workplace is in Ås, 30 km from Oslo.

What is it really like to work at the Faculty of Science and Technology (REALTEK) at NMBU?

 - Guided tour of the Faculty of Science and Technology on Vimeo

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Questions about the position

• Ibrahim Abdelfattah Abdelhameed (Professor), ibrahim.abdelhameed@nmbu.no